From Mayo to Moscow
Daniel Carey
THE Mayo AC PRO Tom Hunt has alerted us to a great story on the club’s website involving Henry Hughes.
The London-based Westport native was in Moscow for the IAAF World Championships, and even featured in TV footage during Rob Heffernan’s 50k race walk, running alongside the man who won Ireland’s third gold medal at a world championships.
Henry later celebrated with the Corkman, and shared his story with Mayo AC members.
“Moscow was great craic altogether,” he wrote. “It just so happened that I was out on the course which was the far side of the stadium to where my seat was. The other Irish lads had gone back to their seats on the near side with a lap to go, so I said I’d stay behind and run alongside Rob for the 200 metres or so back to the stadium, and luckily they let me into the stands without a ticket in the end to see him cross the line.
“We celebrated in a pub off Red Square that night with Rob Heffernan and Brendan Boyce (Ireland’s other participant, who finished in 25th place) . Rob was in great form and led the sing song! He was there till late despite having a BBC interview at 10 the next morning!”
Henry ran a personal best of 79:58 in the National Half Marathon on August 5 and will be back in Mayo for a cross-country race soon.
For the full story and pictures, see www.mayoac.com